Repair clip for splicing metal tape



Oct. 14, 1969 J. WALLS 3,472,089

REPAIR CLIP FOR SPLICING METAL TAPE Filed Jan. 9, 1968 Fig. /4

INYENTOR. JOHN WALLS FEW AGENT l-3 BY United States Patent Oifice 3,472,089 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 3,472,089 REPAIR CLIP FOR SPLICING METAL TAPE John Walls, Denver, Colo., assignor to Allan D. Stanbury, Hillsdale, NJ. Filed Jan. 9, 1968, Ser. No. 696,580 Int. Cl. 1316:; 1/20, 3/16 U.S. Cl. 74-231 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A repair clip for splicing metal tape is adapted to engage precisely spaced H-shaped apertures in the tape. The tape is adapted for use with timing drives and particularly drives for automatic elevators. The splicing repair clip or clips are made of wire or metal and are shaped to nest in and engage the longitudinal portions of the H-shaped apertures formed in the tape so that the apertures of the spliced tape portion are precisely aligned so as to maintain the apertures in their original spatial relationship. The repair clips, when attached, are so positioned that the tape may be bent around engaging sprockets in the manner of an unspliced tape and absent the engagement of the clip and the tooth of the sprocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The field of art to which this invention pertains is in the general class of Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc. and in particular to the subclasses of Metal Bands, one piece; and the further subclass of one piece, sheet metal.

Also pertinent to the field of art to which the invention pertains is the general class of Machine Elements and Mechanisms and to the more particular subclass of Belt and Sprockets, single speed, special working faces. In this particular subclass is found the metal tape construction to which the repair clip of this invention is directed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The apparatus providing control of the movement of automatic elevators and the like often use a metal band which is formed with a series of precisely positioned apertures adapted to engage and drive sprockets having teeth of determined pitch. Although operating in the manner of a roller chain, this metal tape develops no joint wearing and a resulting lengthening or stretching such as occurs in the extended use of roller chain. This metal tape is not usually used as a power transmitting means and under light timing loads retains its precise timing means with little or no stretch inherent in its use. This metal tape is often made of stainless steel and the like, and may be approximately fifteen thousandths of an inch in thickness. The metal of the tape is usually tempered or treated to a determined tensile strength so that often in constant use this tape as it is flexed over pulleys may be caused to break. The tempered condition of the tape does not permit a ready repair of the tape by means of welding, soldering and the like unless the tape is overlapped. Such a Welded joint when attempted becomes too stiff and as the tape must continually flex over the sprockets a Welded joint when formed has a tendency to refracture at or near the joint and also the accuracy of the action of the tape at this position is often erratic.

The elevators in tall building may each require a timing tape which is several hundred feet in length. For example, as the length of tape is double the height of the elevator rise, a forty-two floor rise elevator requires a tape of approximately eleven hundred twenty-five feet. The replacement of one of these tapes after it breaks requires many hours and a substantial expense, therefore it is highly desirable that a ready repair be provided which will permit the tape to be brought back to an asgood-as-new-condition. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention this repair may be made in a vary short period of time and at a minimum expense.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The repair clip of this invention is contemplated to engage and precisely position the apertures of the overlapped ends of a tape so as to retain the tape in a permanent manner. Each of the apertures formed in the tape is in the manner of an H-shape with the median portions between the parallel sides of the H-shape curved outwardly so as to be precisely seated on the engaged contour of the sprocket tooth. It is contemplated that in making this splice the ends of the broken tape may be trimmed and rounded so as to smoothly overlap each other. The apertures of one end of the tape are precisely overlaid and aligned with the apertures of the other broken end of the tape so that when the apertures of the broken ends are engaged and retained by the repair clip, the tape will once again be joined so that the apertures are in precise spaced alignment to provide a timing control in the manner of an unbroken tape.

To retain the spliced ends in an overlaid position there is provided either wire or metal clips which are adapted to enter and engage the longitudinal extents of the H-shape of the aperture to form shoulder retaining means. A plurality of these clips retain a plurality of apertures in precise alignment one with the other. The retaining clip members, to be hereinafter more fully described, are adapted to engage the side and end extents of the longitudinal portions of the H-apertures so as to retain the overlaid tape ends with the aperture portions adapted to engage the teeth of a sprocket absent the engagement of any part of the clip retaining means and so that the spliced tape may precisely engage and drive the sprockets in a precisely timed manner.

It is an object of this invention to provide a repair clip which is adapted to engage and retain the broken ends of a metal tape, the clip adapted to enter the H-shaped aperture portions of the tape so as to engage the shoulders of the apertures, the clips adapted to enter and retain the apertures in an overlapped manner so that the precise spacing of the apertures is maintained.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a repair clip for splicing a broken metal tape having H- shaped apertures, the splicing being accompanied by overlapping the broken ends with the apertures precisely aligned, the clips being precisely formed to engage the longitudinal portions of the aperture to maintain the apertures in alignment while the portions of the tape splice adapted to engage a sprocket has the clip portions spaced so as to be absent engagement with the sprocket.

INTENT OF THE DISCLOSURE Although the following disclosure offered for public dissemination is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form or additions of further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the improvements in repair clips for splicing metal tape in which the inventive concept is found.

There has been outlined rather broadly the most important features of the repair clips for splicing metal tape of this invention in order that the present contribution to the art may be more fully appreciated. There has been chosen several embodiments of a repair clip for the purpose of description of the invention and for splicing metal tape and these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a fragmentary isometric view of a tape splice wherein the broken ends are trimmed and overlapped and showing the various embodiments of repair clips as they engage H-shaped apertures so as to positively retain the tape in an aligned and spliced condition;

FIG. 2 represents a plan view looking downwardly on spliced tape portion of FIG. 1 and showing the various embodiments of clips as mounted into the H-shaped apertures to maintain the spliced tape in position;

FIG. 3 represents a side view of the spliced tape portion, with the view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 and showing the various embodiments;

FIG. 4 represents a plan view of a repair clip formed of wire;

FIG. 5 represents a side view of the clip of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 represents a plan view of another embodiment of a clip formed of wire, said clip similar to the clip of FIG. 4 but with the ends turned outwardly;

FIG. 7 represents a side view of the clip of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 represents a plan view of yet another embodiment of a repair clip made of wire;

FIG. 9 represents a side view of the clip of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 represents a plan view of yet another repair clip, this clip being made of sheet metal;

FIG. 11 represents a side view of the clip of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 represents a plan view of yet another repair clip of sheet metal, the clip preferably of a U-shaped cross section and adapted for use in pairs and arranged as right and left-hand attaching clips;

FIG. 13 represents and end view taken on the line 13-13 of the clip of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 represents a plan view of yet another repair clip, this clip being formed of wire, and

FIG. 15 represents a side view of the repair clip of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing in which like numbers refer to like members throughout the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 wherein it is to be noted that a metal tape having a determined thickness is provided with a plurality of H-shaped apertures 22 formed therein. The mid-portions 24 of the tape as defined by the longitudinal and crossbar portions of the aperture are curved outwardly so as to form a precise engaging surface adapted to mesh with the teeth of a sprocket not shown.

In the splicing of the tape shown it is contemplated that a series of H-shaped apertures 22 are precisely made and spaced so that the nominal distance between adjacent apertures and the accumulated distance between a series of apertures are of a determined tolerance. Tape of such configuration may be used to provide for the precise timing of the engaged and driven sprockets. It is to be further noted that in the course of making the repair the broken tape may have its ends 26 rounded so as to remove any sharp edges and to permit the tape to be overlapped in a contiguous relationship. In the forming of the splice, tape end portions equal to four or five apertures are usually and preferably overlaid so as to provide a plurality of precisely spaced and aligned shoulders. The H-shaped openings 22 are aligned with the longitudinal portions 28 and 29 maintained in alignment by means of the various clips.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a repair clip in the manner of a wireform 30 which may be made of round or square wire. This wireform is bent into a generally U-shape with parallel leg portions 32 and 34 extending outwardly from a cross-bar portion 36 which is contemplated as being a straight length lying in a plane parallel to but displaced a short distance above the plane of the leg portions 32 and 34. The distance of the plane of the cross-bar 36 from the plane of the legs is a matter of selection but generally is made equal to twice the thickness of the tape 20. In mounting the clip in the H-shaped aperture, the crossbar 36 is placed on the outside of a splice portion and the legs are disposed on the inside of the splice portion of the tape. The bar portion 36 is slipped over the outer surface of an overlaid pair of midportions 24. With the wire portions 32 and 34 on the inward side of the tape they are directed to the adjacent H-shaped aperture whereupon the end portions extending into the aperture are caused to be bent so as to extend outwardly through this aperture. By means of appropriately designed tools the ends of the legs 32 and 34 are swung in an are as seen in FIG. 5 and the ends are brought toward and to the outer surface of the spliced tape. The turned ends indicated as 32a are shown in phantom outline.

Referring next to FIGS. 6 and 7, a repair clip in the manner of a wire form 38 may be made of round or square wire. This wire form is bent into a generally U-shape in which like end tab portions 39 and 40 are caused to extend outwardly from parallel leg portions 41 and 42 of the U-shape. Joining leg portions 41 and 42 is a cross-bar portion 44 which is contemplated as being a straight length and in the manner of the wireform 30 is bent from the plane of the legs. When used as a repair clip and mounted or inserted as in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the bar portion 44 is slipped over the outer surface of an overlaid pair of midportions 24. The wire leg portions 41 and 42 of clip 38 are brought to the inward side of the tape and to the adjacent H-shaped aperture whereupon the end tabs 39 and 40 are brought upwardly through longitudinal bar portions 28 and 29 of the H- shaped aperture and are moved outwardly to lay on the outer surface of the tape. The length of the legs 41 and 42 may be made so as to exactly accommodate the extent of tape between adjacent ends of the longitudinal portions 28 and 29. To retain the splice, several repair clips 38 are used, as for example, six to ten clips with one clip 38 engaging each overlying tab 24 so that each of the tabs 24 is maintained in precise relationship to each other. With the tabs aligned, each of the overlying apertures is also precisely aligned and maintained in a determined relationship to each other. The clips 38 retain the ends of the splice in a contiguous relationship during the flexing of the tape over a sprocket so that in an operating effect the spliced tape becomes a single unitized portion.

Referring next to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is to be noted that a repair clip 36 is formed from wire and is bent into an incomplete square. A pair of leg portions 47 and 48 are of the same length and are substantially parallel to each other and are joined by a bar portion 49. Substantially parallel to and opposite bar portions 49 are two inwardly turned ends 50 and 51. In the manner of the wireforms 30 and 38 and for the same purpose the leg portions 47 and 48 are bent out of the plane of the ends 50 and 51 and the midlength of bar portion 49. In this particular embodiment the installation of the clip on the splice shows the leg portions 47 and 48 as brought over the outer portion of adjacent overlaid tabs 24. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the joining bar portion 49 is adapted to extend from one aperture to the next adjacent aperture with the ends 50 and 51 disposed in the same plane and parallel to the bar portion 49. The leg portion 49 and ends 50 and 51 lay on the inside of the tape and extend from one longitudinal portion 28 or 29 to a like or adjacent longitudinal portion. It is also to be noted that if or when desired, this clip 46 may be installed at a position which is ninety degrees from that illustrated. As thus installed, the bar portion 49 would extend across one of the tabs 24 and the leg portions 47 and 49 would extend from one aperture to the next aperture. As thus disposed,

the incomplete side of the clip provided by the inturned ends 50 and 51 overlays the outside of the other adjacent tab end 24.

Referring next to FIGS. and 11, it is to be noted that a repair clip 53 is made as a flat H-shaped member. This member 53 may be stamped from a sheet or strip of metal with the resulting repair clip being in the form of an H-member having a mid-bar 54 connecting with or attached to extending end portions 55, 56, 57 and 58. In use as a repair clip, the member is contemplated to lay on the outside of the tape splice with the mid-bar 54 lying transversely of the tape. The end portions 55, 56, 57 and 58 are then bent so as to enter the aligned longitudinal portions 28 and 29 of the H-shape 22, after which end portions 55-58 are turned toward each other and aligned with the extended portions 28 and 29 of the H-apertures. As seen particularly in the views of FIGS. 1 and 2, it is contemplated that the turned end portions 55-58 as they lay on the inside of the tape splice are disposed in a path which is adjacent the plane of movement of the tooth of the sprocket as the tape is moved to engage the sprocket timing system.

Referring next to FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein a repair clip 60 made of a shaped portion of sheet metal is bent into the form of a U. This clip is adapted to have its inwardly extending portions 62 formed in a manner of serrated teeth so as to provide a reduced resistance to the flexing or bending of the length of the metal clip. The outer or gripping portions 63 and 64 of the clip are each a single bar spaced so as to grip a double thickness of tape between them. The length of the clip 60 is preferably such as to provide an engagement of a complete length of a longitudinal extent 28 or 29 of an H-shaped aperture so that the clip 60 will precisely engage the ends of an aperture longitudinal extent to retain the aperture in alignment. It is contemplated that the metal of the clip is of a spring-tempered metal sheet shaped and bent so that the gripping portions 63 and 64 substantially touch or approach each other. When the clip is slid onto two overlapped thicknesses of tape 20, these thicknesses are gripped by portions 63 and 64 so as to retain clip 60 in position as the tape splice is flexed.

Referring finally to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a repair clip wire form 70 shaped generally in the manner of the repair clip 30, however, the ends of the clip 70 are turned not only outwardly but also are formed into small U-shaped grip members having opposed portions adapted to engage the outer and inner surfaces of the tape splice outwardly of the aperture 22. As seen in these FIGS. 14 and 15, the wire form 70 has a mid-bar 72 attached to leg portions 74 and 75, each of whose ends is turned outwardly as at 76 and 77. These ends are bent again to provide further extending portions 78 and 79 which are again bent inwardly to form portions 80 and 81. These portions of the grip ends, when mounted on the splice, lie on the outer surface of the splice. The Wire ends are then bent downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 14, and into L-shaped inner surface tape engaging portions 82. These L-shaped portions in FIG. 14 lie immediately below portions 80, 78 and 81, 79. In the manner of wireforms 30, 38 and 46 above, the mid-bar 72 and leg portions 76-81 are disposed in a plane parallel to but spaced a distance therefrom, which distance is about double the thickness of a tape. As a repair clip, the wire form is assembled to the splice with the mid-bar 72 laying on the outside of the tape at midportion 24 and between the ends of the longitudinal openings 28 and 29. The leg portions 74 and 75 are caused to lie on the inside of the tape splice and to extend from one aperture to the next aperture. The U-shaped clip ends are brought into the openings in the aperture and are manipulated into gripping engagement with the grip portions of the end adapted to lay on and engage the inner and outer tape surfaces adjacent and outwardly of the aperture. As viewed in FIG. 3, portions 78 and 79 engage the outer surface of the splice and portions 82 engage the inner surface of the splice.

USE AND OPERATION The repair clip for splicing metal tape as above-described provides means for retaining the overlapped portions of the tape in an aligned manner. The nesting of the curved midportions 24 tends to insure longitudinal alignment of the apertures. The clips engage the ends and/or sides of the longitudinal bar portions 28 or 29 of the H- shaped aperture and when a plurality of repair clips as five or six are each aligned and joined by repair clips the lateral alignment of the lap is reasonably maintained. In operation, splices using five apertures and repair clips such as clips 30 at each aperture has been weight tested with loads of three to four hundred pounds with relatively no change in alignment precision and with the splice intact. As the tape is not intended to operate with loads anywhere near this amount, the repair has performed in a highly satisfactory manner.

In the splicing repairs above-described, it is important to note that the repair clips, when mounted, are disposed so that no clip portion on the inside of the tape is in the plane of the tooth profiles of the sprocket. The curved midportions 24 are left free for engagement with the sprocket teeth and with the curved portions maintained in overlapped condition, the strength of the tape is maintained.

Terms such as in out, up, down, inner, outer and the like and as applied to the repair clip for splicing metal tape as shown and described in conjunction with the drawing are used merely for the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to a particular position in which the repair clip may be constructed or used.

What is claimed is:

1. A means for repairing a metal tape having precisely formed and spaced H-shaped apertures, each aperture having a mi -portion disposed between the parallel longitudinal portions of the H-shape, said mid-portion formed to engage and seat on a tooth of a sprocket, the repairing of the tape including in combination with said tape; (a) a splice of said tape formed by overlapping the ends of the tape so that a determined plurality of apertures are arranged in an aligned condition and with the tape ends in a contiguous relationship, and (b) a plurality of removably attachable repair clips sized and shaped so as to be enterable into the longitudinal portions of the H-shaped aperture and then in a mounted condition to be positioned adjacent the edges of the aperture so as to engage the under surface of the inner of the overlapped tapes and to engage the outer surface of the outer of the overlapped tapes, the clip formed to provide a biasing means for urging the overlapping portions toward each other to retain the overlapped portions of the tape in a contiguous condition and with the overlaid apertures precisely aligned, the mounted clip has those portions of the clip which are disposed on the under side of the tape being positioned outside the path of the teeth of the sprockets which engage the apertures of the tape.

2. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 1 in which the repair clip is of wire and is formed into a generally U-shape with a cross-bar portion thereof sized so as to extend transversely of the tape from one longitudinal extent of a first H-shaped aperture to a parallel longitudinal extent of said H-shape and with a pair of leg portions of the clip extending from the cross-bar and disposed in a generally parallel manner to each other and of sufiicient length so as to extend from said first aperture to an adjacent second aperture and to enter and engage the second aperture.

3. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 2 in which the cross-bar portion is disposed in a plane generally parallel to a plane of the leg portions, the displacement of the plane of the cross-bar from the plane of the leg 7 portions being about double the thickness of the tape being spliced.

4. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 2 in which the repair clip has the leg portions of a sufficient extent so that the end portions are adapted for bending whereby to enter and extend through the longitudinal extents of the second aperture and with the ends of the clip to be further bent to lay on the outer surface of the tape to retain the overlaid tape portions in a contiguous relationship.

5. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 1 in which the repair clip is of wire and is formed into a generally U-shape with the cross-bar portion thereof sized so as to extend transversely of the tape from one longitudinal extent to a parallel longitudinal extent of said H- shape aperture and a pair of generally parallel leg portions extending from the cross-bar, each leg portion having an end tab portion formed to extend generally outwardly from the leg portions, the leg portions adjacent the cross-bar of a sufficient length so as to extend from a first H-shaped aperture to an adjacent second aperture and with the outwardly extending end tab portions adapted to lay on and engage the outer surface of the tape to retain the overlaid portions of tape in a contiguous relationship.

6. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 5 in which the end tab portions of the clip are further formed into U-shaped grip end members adapted to lay on and engage the inner and outer surfaces of the spliced tape portion.

7. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 6 in which the cross-bar portion is disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the leg portions, the displacement of the plane of the cross-bar from the plane of the leg portions being about double the thickness of the tape being spliced.

8. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 1 in which the clip is a wire form bent into a generally incomplete square With two parallel sides of the wire form providing cross-bar portions adapted to extend across and engage the mid-portions of adjacent H-shaped apertures and with the other two sides of the wireform adapted to engage the underside of the tape and extend from a longitudinal extent of one H-shaped aperture to an adjacent longitudinal extent of an adjacent H-shaped aperture, the longitudinal extents of the aperture being in substantially longitudinal alignment.

9. A means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 1 in which the clip is an H-shaped member of sheet metal and the like, and with the midbar of the H-shape sized so as to extend transversely of the tape for a distance substantially equal to the width of its H-shaped aperture, and with the end portions of the H-shaped member sized so as to extend from one aperture to an adjacent aperture with portions extending into the longitudinal extents which may be bent so as to enter the longitudinal extents of the aperture and then to be further bent to lay on the inner side of the tape splice which side is opposite to the midbar portion of the H-member.

10. Means for repairing a metal tape as in claim 1 each clip comprising: a formed sheet metal member having a generally U-shaped cross section and of a longitudinal length less than the length of an extent of the H-shaped aperture; a plurality of cut-out portions formed in the mid-portion of the U-shape, said cut-outs being formed in the manner of serrated teeth, and opposed outer edge portions of the U-shape being spaced and adapted to grip and retain a double thickness of tape as represented by the overlapped splice when the clip is mounted in the aperture with the inner mid-portion of the clip disposed against the outer surface of the longitudinal extent.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 185,544 12/1876 Kennedy 24-26 230,936 8/1880 Green 24-39 243,904 7/1881 Howe 24-23 293,919 2/1884 Sprout 24--22 2,306,816 12/1942 Larson. 3,156,126 11/1964 Olsen 74-231 XR 1,786,115 12/1930 Jensen 24-201 2,984,119 5/1961 Jenkins 74-231 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,306,598 9/1962 France.

FRED C. MATTERN, Primary Examiner JAMES A. WONG, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2426, 38, 39

3 3 33 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3,472,089 Dated October 14th, 1969 Inventor(s) John alls It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 5: "vary" should read very Column 2, line 48: "accompanied should read accomplished Qolumn 3, line 37: "and" should read an-; Column 4, line 53: "36" should read 46 Column 4, line 74: "49 should read 48 and Column 6, line 11: "repair clips" should read apertures such SIGNED AND SEALED MAY 191970 (SEAL) Attest:

Edward M- WILLIAM E. sum, .13. Attesting Officer misaioner of ham, 

